RIVERTRAIL ECO-CAMP An eco-tourism project on the Kundalika river in the Konkan
CAN A GENUINE ECO-TOURISM CAMPSITE WORK ON A FLOWING, CLEAN RIVER?
RIVERTRAIL ECO-CAMP
Rivertrail on the Kundalika river is a 6 year old eco-camp, focussed on eco-tourism in the Konkan region, in the Raigad district. It is located across the Kundalika river, making it possible only to reach by boat, through the river. Rivertrail eco-camp’s main purpose was to showcase how genuine eco-tourism is possible on a flowing river, without disturbing the river and local lifestyle, infact enhancing it through simple conservation measures.The campsite benefits villagers of Kolad, Gove, Sambhe, Ambewadi and Palekhurd.
About You
Section 1: About You
Section 2: About Your Organization
Organization Name
Ecomantra
Organization Website
Organization Phone
1800 209 9777/ +91 22 61280100
Organization Address
19, Rajasthan Technical centre, Patanwala estate, LBS road, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai - 400 086, India
Is your organization a
For‐profit
Organization Country
India, MM
Your idea
Name Your Project
RIVERTRAIL ECO-CAMP An eco-tourism project on the Kundalika river in the Konkan
Country your work focuses on
India, MM
Describe Your Idea
CAN A GENUINE ECO-TOURISM CAMPSITE WORK ON A FLOWING, CLEAN RIVER?
RIVERTRAIL ECO-CAMP
Rivertrail on the Kundalika river is a 6 year old eco-camp, focussed on eco-tourism in the Konkan region, in the Raigad district. It is located across the Kundalika river, making it possible only to reach by boat, through the river. Rivertrail eco-camp’s main purpose was to showcase how genuine eco-tourism is possible on a flowing river, without disturbing the river and local lifestyle, infact enhancing it through simple conservation measures.The campsite benefits villagers of Kolad, Gove, Sambhe, Ambewadi and Palekhurd.
Website URL
Would you like to participate in the MIF Opportunity 2010?
No
Innovation
What makes your idea unique and innovative?
What makes the Rivertrail eco-camp project unique and innovative are the policies and practises which have been implimented right from its inception:The practises are based on NON-VIOLENCE AND INCREASED WAWARNESS ACTIVITIES.Our main aim is To Live and Let Live - the river Kundalika, the living wildlife in and around the river and the people and their sustainance from this river.
1) To respect the river has a living entity, we use only non-motorised boats like kayaks, canoes, rafts to reach across the river to our campsite. No diesel operated boats are used by us, even in case of heavy rainfall and monsoon swelling of the river.
2)NO FISHING POLICY – VEGETARIAN MEALS ONLY
This policy at the campsite has helped us:
a)Keep the number of tourists limited and sustainable
b)Avoid getting undue attention in case we had used the fish catch from the river in our kitchen as a commercial activity
c)Avoid the attention of any commercial fishing operators
d)Avoid disturbing the tribal lifestyle where tribals fish occasionally with their individual traditional fishing methods used for their personal meal only.
We believe, that in a freshwater eco-system, fishes are the key to keeping the river alive. Once we encourage fishing or serve fish from the river to our clients, it will be a commercial activity, attracting villagers too to sell fish and the river which is now clean would soon be empty of its inhabitants.
c)Snake Awareness programs:
Rivertrail regularly conducts Snake awareness programs through a snake expert. There are water loving snakes like Checkered Keelback, whic eat mosquito larvae, playing an important role in the river eco-system.
d)INTRODUCING KAYAKING, CANOEING AND WILDLIFE RIVER WATCH ACTIVITIES
Rivertrail was the first to introduce Kayaking and Caneoing in the Konkan region. K2s help tourists enjoy the river sport in a natural, non- polluting way. Kayak trails for bird-watching, crab watch activities help tourists appreciate wildlife.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had on your clients and the tourism sector?
1)The River Kundalika, near the eco-camp area remains clean and the river water potable for the villagers, inspite of our campsite operating since last 6 years.
2) MTDC - Maharashtra Tourism Developement Corporation, which is the state tourism board was inspired to begin a special scheme for like-minded operators known as MAHABRAHMAN - focussed on unique tourism ventures.
3) Resort owners, homestays, Farmhouse owners and agro-tourism based resorts, seeing our successful operation, have approached us for consulting.Competitors are amazed to see our policies:
a) Guests need to get their own towels and toiletries
b) Strict avoidance of loud music at the campsite
c) No non-veg food and liquor served
d) 100% local involvement
SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENURAL STORIES OF RIVERTRAIL ECO-CAMP
Rivertrail eco-camp has been successful in inspiring entrepreneurship from the local team of employees, who have worked and trained at the campsite. These new set of eco-entrepreneurs are conscious of the importance of sustainable operations
Rivertrail camp has also produced 2 success stories in entrepreneurship, Mahesh Sanap and Nitin Lahane, who having worked at the camp, now own their own eco-tourism based lodge / camp and cater to tourists through eco-friendly activities.
Mahesh Sanap
Mahesh was our camp and activity manager from 2004 to year 2008. He has been trained at the camp in operations and adventures. Now, Mahesh has opened his own adventure operations called as Wild River adventures ( this one even while he was a manager at the camp), in year 2006 and Born Free adventures in the year 2010. He conducts water sports like River rafting, kayaking and has been very successful in this new business.
Nitin Lahane
Nitin runs Sanskruti, his ho justmestay cum small resort on a One acre farm catering to local tourists. It is located 6 kms from Rivertrail eco-camp.
Ecomantra takes immense pride in these enterprising entrepreneurs and supports them in their busines
Problem
Expansion of the campsite, to incorporate more villages and more villagers in the project is the main challenge in front of us. Lack of funds is the main ditterant.
Maharashtra is not on the tourism map of India, hence the campsite is mostly visited by weekend visitors from Mumbai and Pune. Since the land was leased, to make it beneficial for the community, no bank loans are possible. Due to lack of funds the expansion process of this project has slowed down.
Actions
Our plan for development of Rivertrail eco-camp is divided into 4 phases:
•The first phase began from pre-construction ( year 2004) to break-even period ( year 2010). This phase was marked by construction in an eco-friendly mannere. The camp began with 100% local involvement in construction,design and management.
•Our Mumbai office began its marketing soon for families and corporate groups as visitors. In this phase we concentrated on Training ( for locals on the ecological aspects and to motivate them to use their inherited skills), development and construction, marketing and publicity for the campsite.
•Researching about the cultural practises and knowledge skills of natives. We discovered local dances like Lathi-Kathi which is slowly disappearing from the village festivities ( only elders know this martial art cum dance well), local cuisine, skilled craftsmen who could earn from the camp, vendors like local pottery studios, wood museums, bamboo carpenters, etc.
•12 farmers and their families are employed currently at this camp and another 10 vendors ( including food suppliers, building materials, carpenters, electrician, plumber, etc ) provide their services to camp
Results
The campsite has been visited by more 30,000 visitors to date mostly on weekends, who appreciate and understand the concept of an eco-camp that is run on Non-Violent practises.
Rivertrail eco-camp has shown that one can be sustainable without depending on charity, by simply offering exciting activities to participants.
All the soft adventures on the river like still water kayaking, canoeing, rivercrossing, village visits, organic vegetable farming, coconut tree climbing, make the camp exciting to visit.
At the same time, the practices followed by the campsite, ensure that local staff get a chance to earn an extra income in the form of rural adventures like Bullock cart rides, pottery studio visits, village dressing, hut makeover, village dinners, local folk music and dance programs. Our policy of orienting the guests about the campsite, before they arrive and avoiding any walk-ins, ensure that guests are well prepared for the eco-camp experience and bring along the right gear, including their own towels and toiletries to avoid water wastage due to laundry and garbage generated due to package waste.
Rivertrail eco-camp thus operates silently and quietly
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Rivertrail eco-camp project is already successful in its operations. It has been divided into phases:
The 2nd phase of Rivertrail eco-camp incorporates:
•Entering into short term leases of unused farming land of villagers, for projects like bamboo cultivation and handicraft work, agro-forestry, pottery, weaving of recycled plastic bags and paper recycling
•7 families with farm land will be benefited through the regular lease income, while we bring in atleast 100 villagers to be employed through these projects.
•A nature shop set up at camp, will sell the produce to eco-tourists visiting the camp, while paper and recycled to be used in Ecomantra offices
•Through Volunteer holidays, free English language education to primary children in 4 villages located around the river and tree plantation drives on the banks of the river Kundalika.
The main area of the campsite will be expanded to incorporate more tents, a meeting room and an indoor dining area.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Lack of funds
Lack of interest by the Govt. in eco-tourism
Strict eco-tourism policies in the state
How many people will your project serve annually?
1001‐10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$50 - 100
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy or introduce models and tools that benefit the tourism sector in general?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for more than 5 years
In what country?
India, MM
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Yes
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Rivertrail eco-camp is associated with the Maharashtra TOurism Developement Corporation and is certified as a Unique Tourism Venture under its scheme of Mahabrahman. We are invited to speak in conferences on eco-tourism combined with adventure tourism.
We also work closely with the Maharashtra nature park society helping in voluntary programs and student trails. The founders are also members of the Bombay Natural society, the oldest NGO in India in conservation.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
To expand our organisation and our intitiative:
a) Funds for creating more eco-resorts and campsites
b) Skilled resource and a network of travel agents for marketing and sales
c) Investors who are like-minded and ready to invest in projects
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Ravi Goel, has been an avid trekker in the past. Having lived in villages during surveys for protecting forests in Goa and Karnataka states in India, Ravi has seen the destruction of forests due to industrialisation. The apathy and reserve faced from villagers and tribals due to declaration of protected areas was understandable as they were alienated from the very land they had lived. Genuine eco-tourism practices which were community inclusive and conservation oriented was felt as the best thing, we could do to spread awareness about the environment.
At Rivertrail eco-camp, our Non-Violent policies were created out of this experience in the forests and rural areas, and it was the most suitable way to conserve and flourish!
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Ravi Goel is Co-founder and Managing Director, Ecomantra and has overall responsibility of
- Experiential Holidays
- Administration and Operations
- New Eco Resort and Campsite Projects
Special responsibilities include
- Business Strategy Of Ecomantra
- Liaison With The Company’s Advisors & prospective Investors
Ravi Goel, age 35, by qualification is a Textile Technologist & Textile Chemist and is a practicing Textile Consultant for the past 16 years. He is the cofounder and original promoter of Ecomantra
He has been an active resource person in the conservation movement in India, being part of the team instrumental in the notification of a 3 new wildlife sanctuaries; Mhadei WLS & Netravali WLS in Goa, & Bhimgarh in Karnataka.
He is a serial entrepreneur and has created new textile mills, and created & marketed textiles to Indian brands under the aegis of Design Origin India Pvt. Ltd. beside many profitable companies including software product company that created and sold Enterprise & CRM products to large BFSI companies in India (Weblogic)
He has been involved in creation and design of Maharashtra’s first community campsite Rivertrail eco-camp, right from eco-architecture, local liasoning to adding new and unique adventures
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Email from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
50 words or fewer
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